Wilco Worshipper Posted May 23, 2008 Share Posted May 23, 2008 So apparently I'm having one of these done in three weeks. I am quite nervous and VERY scared. I am well aware a lot people both here and in my own life have gone though much worse. But beyond having two children and a small cyst removed, this is all I've experienced. I'm fine with shots and stuff, well not really but I get through it. I guess this probably scares me more since it's going right into my spine. It's for a sciatic issue that I have been dealing with (and in severe, severe pain from) for over a year now. I just finally got health insurance again in January. I started on vicodin along with ibuprofen in February. They aren't doing much. The doctor I met today said this is my ONLY non-surgical option. Thoughts?!? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
poppydawn Posted May 23, 2008 Share Posted May 23, 2008 I don't have any advice, but I can say that my mom has had these injections and they've really helped her. She usually feels a little wonky the day she gets it, but after that she's lots better. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jenbobblehead Posted May 23, 2008 Share Posted May 23, 2008 Just be sure that it really is a sciatic issue. They told me that too, and that wasn't it at all. Have you had all the tests, like MRI and CT scans and Xrays? Physical therapy? Not trying to scare you but if you JUST got your health insurance then I want to be sure you've had all the tests necessary to ensure that sciatica is the issue, and it isn't some weird bone cancer but not cancer afterall but still some weird disease thing like I had. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mountain bed Posted May 23, 2008 Share Posted May 23, 2008 WW - my wife (Pocahontas) is going to pain management tomorrow to see if she needs to get this done. She'll post up when she gets home and knows something definite. Vibes! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mr. Kinsley Posted May 23, 2008 Share Posted May 23, 2008 Not the "I've got a great idea for Lamrod's band name" thread I was expecting. Vibes nonetheless. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Wilco Worshipper Posted May 23, 2008 Author Share Posted May 23, 2008 Poppy - Thanks! Jen - After my doctor was finished talking to me today and looked over everything and had me attempt a few things, he knew without the MRI that it IS sciatic. I have all the "classic" symptoms. He IS ordering an MRI before the Lumbar happens. We did schedule it for now. It is easier to cancel than schedule. We are meeting again two days before the Lumbar to MAKE SURE this is the proper step. MB - Thanks! Hope your wife finds relief soon as well!!! Not the "I've got a great idea for Lamrod's band name" thread I was expecting. Vibes nonetheless. And thank you. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
pillowy star Posted May 23, 2008 Share Posted May 23, 2008 I've had two of those. One in 1990 for the cesarian section (spinal anesthesia), and it was the most painful event in my whole life. I scratched the anesthetist's assistant's - who was holding my hand - hand bloody out of sheer pain, not even being in labour for almost 18 hours was anything compared to this. Never ever ever would I do this again. A few years later I had the first of many bad lumbagos, and got an epidural injection to ease the pain, and this was actually ok and helped a lot. They did it underneath an xray monitor, so they were probably able to observe the needle a bit better. Oh yeah, speaking of the needle: Don't. DON'T ask if you can see it beforehand. I mean it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LouieB Posted May 23, 2008 Share Posted May 23, 2008 A few years later I had the first of many bad lumbagos, and got an epidural injection to ease the pain, and this was actually ok and helped a lot. They did it underneath an xray monitor, so they were probably able to observe the needle a bit better. Oh yeah, speaking of the needle: Don't. DON'T ask if you can see it beforehand. I mean it.I have had two of these also and it was nearly painless and over in a couple seconds. DON'T under any circumstances ask to see the needle if you are scared. First of all, there are two needles...one to anesthnetize the area and the other to put in the meds. If done correctly you should feel nearly nothing. But the second needle is HUGE by contrast to the first which is tiny and thin. Incidently both injections did nothing for me, but the pain eventually cleared up on its own. These proceedures do different things for different people, that's just the way it is. LouieB Quote Link to post Share on other sites
watch me fall Posted May 23, 2008 Share Posted May 23, 2008 My mom has these injections as often as her insurance allows, which really isn't very often so she's still in pain most days. However, she's never mentioned anything about the procedure being really painful. She's a tough woman, though. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Jules Posted May 23, 2008 Share Posted May 23, 2008 I had two in 6 months (a couple years ago), and I'm about to have another sometime soon. They are no big deal, and helped a lot. Look at it this way, it's a lot less invasive than surgery, so why not? Don't expect to feel better immediately, though, mine took a few days to a week to kick in. Also, I was knocked completely out for mine, which was nice. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Pocahontas Posted May 23, 2008 Share Posted May 23, 2008 I am back from the Pain Management doc, he has determined it is a lumbar strain, he gave me two shots of Lanacaid, and a steroid, after three hours I am experience more pain before I went, my legs are burning and my back is really sore. He also prescribed me Lidoderm patches (a local anesthetic to numb the area of pain). I have been taking Flexiril, Iburprofen, and Norico. I also am in Physical Therapy and the doc wants me to get a TENS unit to wear three times a week for four weeks. I just wish I could have one good day without any symptoms, but what can you do? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Jules Posted May 23, 2008 Share Posted May 23, 2008 I am back from the Pain Management doc, he has determined it is a lumbar strain, he gave me two shots of Lanacaid, and a steroid, after three hours I am experience more pain before I went, my legs are burning and my back is really sore. He also prescribed me Lidoderm patches (a local anesthetic to numb the area of pain). I have been taking Flexiril, Iburprofen, and Norico. I also am in Physical Therapy and the doc wants me to get a TENS unit to wear three times a week for four weeks. I just wish I could have one good day without any symptoms, but what can you do?That's tough. Vibes. I hate to say it, but I haven't never had a day completely without symptons for 3-4 years now. You just get used to it. However, I know it's tough when you can't get it under control. You'll get there. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Happiechick Posted May 23, 2008 Share Posted May 23, 2008 Would you be willing to try out Acupuncture? I can't imagine the pain you have, but I do get migraines and found that a combination of acupuncture and chinese herbs and yoga have really helped. I am guessing you can't even do yoga to begin with? There are a lot of success stories with the RIGHT Acupuncturist. The Chinese way of medicine has been going on for at least 2,000years...I think...at least that's what my acu. told me.... So there is something to be said for that. Good luck to you, and Lou is absolutely right, just don't even look and don't even imagine that needle! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Wilco Worshipper Posted May 24, 2008 Author Share Posted May 24, 2008 You just get used to it. Very true! I take 4 vicodin a day along with 400 mgs of ibuprofen each time and it feels like it doesn't do a THING! But I guess it would be much worse without. I'm just thankful I work with a bunch of very understanding people. I work doubles every Friday and Saturday which makes for very long, painful days. But like Pocahontas said...what can you do, right?!? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Wilco Worshipper Posted May 24, 2008 Author Share Posted May 24, 2008 Good luck to you, and Lou is absolutely right, just don't even look and don't even imagine that needle! Thanks! And duly noted on the needle! I just wish I could have one good day without any symptoms, but what can you do? I hear ya! I'm sorry to hear about all your pain. What is a TENS unit?!? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tugmoose Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 Honestly, when I saw the topic, I thought it was a new band, and that you'd posted in the wrong forum. Good luck with this. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Pocahontas Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 I hear ya! I'm sorry to hear about all your pain. What is a TENS unit?!? A TENS unit is a electric stimulizer you put on your back to help settle down muscles and spasms. It has little patches you put on your back and they are hooked up to a box that you can control the level of shock waves. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jenbobblehead Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 I had that done too. It feels good, although after a month of that, and manual traction, my PT refused to continue until my dr sent me to an orthopedist. Because it wasn't sciatica, or L4 and 5, it was actually a broken femur due to a tumor (benign reactive bone activity we finally discovered months later). So i was in incredible pain for almost 4 months because the doctor didn't send me for an Xray until the Physical Therapist called my doctor and told him she couldn't continue to torture me, and I wasn't even out of the door of the XRay place before my doctor was calling me to say that the bone looked "mushy, like tumors" and sending me for an MRI and finally i ended up at the ortho, then the ortho oncologist and then surgery (twice) before they finally said that it wasn't going to kill me, 7 months later, btw) So, WW, that's why I hope that your doctor is springing for the tests necessary to actually determine what the problem is before sending you for treatment which can do more damage (nothing like traction, which tries to straighten your body out, when one of the bones is broken!) than cure. Good luck! and why didn't your doctor give you any muscle relaxants if it is sciatica?! that's the FIRST thing they gave me when they thought that was what it was. Or send you to PT? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Knepps Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 These Lumbar injections are a fairly common procedure, they have an Xray machine in the room and watch the needle so there is no question as to where they are located in the spine at any time. I'm not doctor (I'm an X-ray tech) but I have seen a few of these performed and they're very quick and painless because of the numbing medication they give you. I am back from the Pain Management doc, he has determined it is a lumbar strain, he gave me two shots of Lanacaid, and a steroid, after three hours I am experience more pain before I went, my legs are burning and my back is really sore. He also prescribed me Lidoderm patches (a local anesthetic to numb the area of pain). I have been taking Flexiril, Iburprofen, and Norico. I also am in Physical Therapy and the doc wants me to get a TENS unit to wear three times a week for four weeks. I just wish I could have one good day without any symptoms, but what can you do? I think that is a fairly common or even expected reaction right after an injection of steriods, I believe its supposed to subside soon hopefully! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Wilco Worshipper Posted May 25, 2008 Author Share Posted May 25, 2008 So, WW, that's why I hope that your doctor is springing for the tests necessary to actually determine what the problem is before sending you for treatment which can do more damage (nothing like traction, which tries to straighten your body out, when one of the bones is broken!) than cure. Good luck! and why didn't your doctor give you any muscle relaxants if it is sciatica?! that's the FIRST thing they gave me when they thought that was what it was. Or send you to PT? Well, Jen, I certainly don't envy your situation. I hope you're doing better now. My primary care physician put me on vicodin which didn't seem to help. Then he put me on lyrica but that made me loopy. So I went back on the vicodin but with more ibuprofen. Like I wrote before, I'm on 4 (5-500) vicodin a day with 400 mg of ibuprofen each time. My Pain Mgmt doctor from the Spine Center is sending me for an MRI. So I'll have that on the 3rd, meet with him on the 9th and then have the Lumbar on the 11th if indeed he decides that is the correct way to go. My original doctor didn't send me anywhere or do anything beyond what I've stated here. After I kept complaining that the vicodin wasn't doing much, he told me to make an appt w/ the Spine Center. I had to wait TWO MONTHS to get in...*sigh* But I made it and I'm in, so we'll see what happens now. Thank you again to you and all the others for the well wishes!!! I'm still scared but grateful for all the advice, thoughts and vibes Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Wilco Worshipper Posted June 10, 2008 Author Share Posted June 10, 2008 So I had the MRI last Tuesday (on my birthday...oh yay!) and the follow-up was today. Jen - it DEFINITELY is sciatic. No tumors, no cancer, no herniated disc, and no ruptures. I was able to view the dozens of scans they did. My back doctor showed me everything and explained it clearly w/ the scans and models. He said it is mechanical and progressive. It acts up more when I'm working (waitressing) or standing for long periods of time (hence the mechanical part of the diagnosis). The fact that I'm clearly getting older and my body is being used more makes it progressive and it's something that cannot be reversed or stopped. Part of the problem is genetic. My mother has been retired since she was 49 due to Degenerative Disc Disease. A maternal uncle and maternal cousin of mine also have it. I asked A LOT of questions today. My doctor actually seemed impressed with how "in the know" I appeared. And besides the upcoming Epidural he gave me a referral for physical therapy. He also wants to change my pain medication from the vicodin to neurotin about a week after the injection. He said the neurotin is much more effective on nerve pain. Oh and NO ibuprofen between today and Wednesday. After this procedure it's up to me to exercise and lose weight...*sigh* So Wednesday afternoon I'll be keeping my fingers crossed and NOT looking at the BIG needle Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mountain bed Posted June 10, 2008 Share Posted June 10, 2008 Vibes to you WW. Michelle (Poca) is going to get the epidural this week also. ::fingers crossed:: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RaspberryJam Posted June 10, 2008 Share Posted June 10, 2008 I'll be thinking about you. Better things to come as a result! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Wilco Worshipper Posted June 10, 2008 Author Share Posted June 10, 2008 Vibes to you WW. Michelle (Poca) is going to get the epidural this week also. ::fingers crossed:: Thank you! Same to her! And thanks Raspberry Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jenbobblehead Posted June 11, 2008 Share Posted June 11, 2008 back vives for everyone! WW: glad to see that you're getting some straight talk from your doctor. I am much relieved now. Now go get the big needle. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.